Vol. 331 No. 12
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he has any information on or if he can provide an estimate of the approximate number of cattle illegally exported on average each week over the past six months; and the steps being taken to control such activity.
164.
asked the Minister for Agriculture the present situation in regard to smuggling of cattle into the Six Counties; and whether any of the action promised has yet been taken by the British and EEC authorities to compel Northern meat plants to conform to the common agricultural policy in their system of calculating their target price upon which the variable premium is based.
165.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether meat factories in the Six Counties insist on getting evidence of origin in respect of cattle for slaughter.
166.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that due to a shortage of supplies as a result of cross-Border smuggling, the meat factory at Carrigans, County Donegal may be forced to close with a resultant long-term loss to the farming community; and whether he has any plans to obviate such a closure.
With the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 163 to 166, inclusive together.
Figures of slaughterings and live exports and the result of the livestock censuses point to the existence of illegal cross-Border movements of cattle, but while the movements appear to have been fairly substantial it is not possible to give any precise estimates of the kind sought. Following discussions between representatives of the Commission, the UK and my Department, arrangements have been made by the UK to intensify control measures at certain key points in Northern Ireland. Cattle presented for slaughter will be specifically examined for traces of southern ear tags and Northern Ireland ear tags will be destroyed to prevent them from being re-used. These developments should help to improve the supply situation for the Carrigans and other meat factories here.
The method of calculating the target price for the variable premium is in accordance with EEC rules.
